Texans: C.J. Stroud and the 2023 NFL Draft class are making fans forget about Deshaun Watson
By Hunter Haas
It’s been a long time since a rookie quarterback has taken the league by storm the way C.J. Stroud has. The most recent No. 2 overall selection quickly won the QB1 battle in Houston thanks to his professionalism, leadership, and ability to perform under pressure. The Texans, at 4-4, have surprisingly found themselves in the playoff discussion in Year 1 of the Stroud era. The rest of the 2023 NFL Draft class is playing its part by making fans forget the Deshaun Watson conundrum.
And guess what? This is merely the beginning.
Stroud is far from the only successful selection at the 2023 NFL Draft. From a superstar pass rusher to one of the most exciting pass catchers in recent memory, Houston is not lacking in the talent department. Here is a closer look at the team’s rookie class, which is already making its mark in the Lone Star State.
C.J. Stroud Already Proving He’s Better Than The Best Version Of Deshaun Watson
Round 1, No. 2 — C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
As we touched on in the opening, C.J. Stroud is blazing a record-breaking trail at the midway point of his rookie campaign. The Ohio State product has completed 62 percent of his passes, including a sparkling 14 TD to 1 INT ratio. If you add in his 2,270 passing yards, this puts Stroud on pace to set a slew of first-year records.
Who knows, if the rest of the roster gets healthy, the Texans could even sneak their way into the postseason via a wildcard berth. Either way, Stroud’s performance to this point should inspire tons of optimism toward the future in Houston. After an ugly Deshaun Watson fallout, it seems as though the organization is on to bigger and better things.